| Referees are an important part of youth soccer. | | | | 6. Direct any comments (including praise) or |
| They are the only officials that control the game | | | | complaints first to your coach, then, in writing, to |
| from the moment they enter the field of play till the | | | | your soccer league. |
| moment they get back to changing rooms. | | | | Few Tips and Warnings: |
| Even after the last whistle, the referee has the | | | | - Wait until after the game to direct any comments |
| power to enforce the laws of the game if they hear | | | | to the referee. Comments in the heat of battle are |
| an offensive language, see a violent conduct or any | | | | not productive. |
| other infringements. | | | | - Do not step on the field of play at any time. It is |
| Understanding their role will help both players and | | | | against regulations to walk onto the field at any point |
| parents deal with them successfully. | | | | in the game to speak to officials. |
| There are few guidelines that you must understand | | | | - Say thank you. It is rare that a referee hears a kind |
| and follow: | | | | word. Praise those you feel have done a good job. |
| 1. Understand the referee's function. A soccer game | | | | - Know what to praise. An especially good referee |
| is controlled by one referee (on the field) and two | | | | uses opportunities to educate players, behaves in a |
| referee's assistants, who work along the sidelines. | | | | calm manner, and uses humor to defuse tense |
| 2. See them as allies. By definition, a referee's No. 1 | | | | situations. |
| task is to ensure the safety and protection of | | | | - Consider taking a referee's course (cost less than |
| players, especially youth soccer players. The referee's | | | | $100). Adults and children as young as 12, can take |
| second task is to uphold fairness. | | | | this course. It gives them an understanding and |
| 3. Teach your child the role of the referee. This may | | | | empathy for the job, as well as a better |
| entail learning the rules of the game. | | | | understanding of laws of the game. |
| 4. Show respect to all officials. This goes for players, | | | | - Learn the Laws of the Game. These 17 FIFA laws |
| coaches and spectators. | | | | will assist you in understanding the referee's calls. |
| 5. Refrain from negative comments and pressure. | | | | After all, a youth soccer referee is there to watch |
| Negative treatment of referees yields the same | | | | over our kids while they having fun playing one of |
| undesirable results as similar treatment of soccer | | | | the most popular sports in the world... the soccer |
| players. | | | | game! |